ADNOC Classification: Internal

ADNOC HSE STANDARDS TRAINING

BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS STANDARD
(HSE-OH-ST10)

ABU DHABI NATIONAL OIL COMPANY

ADNOC Classification: Internal

INTRODUCTION

 Previous – Biological Agents (ADNOC-COPV3-04), Version

0, April 2014

 Current – ADNOC - Biological Hazards Standard (HSE-OH-

ST10), Version 1, August 2019

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ADNOC Classification: Internal

CRITICAL CHANGES TO THE PREVIOUS

VERSION
Previous Version Current Version
Roles and Added section on Roles and
Responsibilities missing Responsibilities
WHO Biological Agent Biological Agents Hazard Classification
Hazard Classification matched with ADNOC OHRM Severity
and Health Risk Rating categories

Limited discussion on Extensive discussion on available

Biological Agent biological agent sampling and analytical
Quantitative Assessment methods

PPE was a part of the PPE for biological hazards has been
Control of Risks Section covered under ADNOC Personal
Protective Equipment Standard (HSE-
OS-ST20)
Appendix 2: Management Legionella Audit Checklist
of Legionella, no checklist
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provided
ADNOC Classification: Internal

PURPOSE

The Standard provides a framework and detailed guidance on

 Various kinds of biological agents and their effects on the human body

 Evaluating the health risks associated with biological hazards present in the working environment

 Controlling the health risks posed by biological agents by utilizing the hierarchy of controls

 Management of Legionella bacteria in hot and cold-water systems

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ADNOC Classification: Internal

SCOPE

The Standard stipulates the mandatory requirements applicable to ADNOC Group (Directorates &
Functions at HQ, Group Companies and Affiliates) and its Contractors

ADNOC Group and Contractors shall ensure that all expectations listed in the Standard are fully
understood, implemented and thoroughly monitored

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ADNOC Classification: Internal

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

The Standard specifies the roles and responsibilities for

the following
 ADNOC Group Companies
 Senior Management (i.e. Unit/ Function /HSE/Facility
Manager)
 OH SME (i.e. OH/IH Specialist)
 GHSEF
 Contractor HSE
 Employees

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Section 6 in the Standard shall be referred for responsibilities of the above-mentioned roles
ADNOC Classification: Internal

KEY CONTENTS

 Overview – Refer Section 7.1 of the Standard

 Biological Agents & Health Effects – Refer Section 7.2 of the Standard
 Evaluation of Biological Hazards Exposure – Refer Section 7.3 of the Standard
 Control Of Risks – Refer Section 7.4 of the Standard
 Health Surveillance – Refer Section 7.5 of the Standard
 Key Performance Indicators – Refer Section 8.1 of the Standard
 Links to ADNOC Standards – Refer Section 9 of the Standard
 Appendices – Refer Section 10 of the Standard

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ADNOC Classification: Internal

OVERVIEW

A biological agent is a microorganism, cell culture,

or human end parasite which may cause
infection, allergy, and toxicity or otherwise create
a hazard to human health
Biological agents can be categorized as
 Bacteria Biological
Agents
 Viruses
 Protozoa
 Fungi
 Parasites

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Section 7.1 in the Standard shall be referred for the Overview
ADNOC Classification: Internal

BIOLOGICAL AGENTS & HEALTH EFFECTS

 Main exposure routes for biological agents are: dermal, inhalation,

ingestion and direct injection
 There are three (03) ways in which an employee may be exposed to
biological agents at work
 Exposure as a result of working with biological agents, e.g., working
on a cooling tower, HVAC, toilets, hot and cool water system,
emergency showers, fire water sprinklers/hose reel etc.
 Exposure which does not result from the work itself but is incidental
to it, e.g., refuse collection, sewage treatment
 Exposure which is not a result of the work done; e.g. catching flu
from a work colleague

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Section 7.2 in the Standard shall be referred for Biological Agents and Health Effects
ADNOC Classification: Internal

BIOLOGICAL AGENTS & HEALTH EFFECTS

 Biological Agents and Specific Illnesses:

 Legionella and Legionnaires’ Disease - Management of Legionella is
presented in Appendix 2
1. Pneumonia
2. Other potentially life-threatening effects
 Vector-Borne Pathogens
1. Malaria, Dengue, Yellow fever, Viral encephalitis
2. Newcastle and Lyme disease; Meningitis
3. Toxoplasmosis and Trichomoniasis
4. Sand fly fever

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Section 7.2 in the Standard shall be referred for Biological Agents and Health Effects
ADNOC Classification: Internal

BIOLOGICAL AGENTS & HEALTH EFFECTS

 Blood borne Pathogens
 Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV); and
 Hepatitis B & C viruses
 Food and Waterborne Pathogens
 Acute gastroenteritis
 Hepatitis A
 Typhoid fever
 Vector-Borne Pathogens
 Bites and stings from poisonous animals, reptiles or insects
 Allergic reaction caused by contact with certain plants
 Transmission of infectious diseases by contact in accommodation camps
 Rabies and cat scratch disease

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Section 7.2 in the Standard shall be referred for Biological Agents and Health Effects
ADNOC Classification: Internal

EVALUATION OF BIOLOGICAL HAZARDS

EXPOSURE
 Qualitative Assessment
 Identify where there may be a risk from exposure to biological agents and who may be at risk
 Provide a reliable estimate of types and potential extent of exposure to biological agents
 Identify actions need to be taken to control exposure, based on the hierarchy of control
 Quantitative Assessment
 Sampling and Analytical Methods
 Infective Dose
 Recording of Quantitative Risk

 Profile groups of personnel who are at high or high-medium risk for inclusion in a health
surveillance programme

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Section 7.3 in the Standard shall be referred for Evaluation of Biological Hazards Exposure
ADNOC Classification: Internal

CONTROL OF RISKS
 Information gathered during risk assessments be used to complete the following tasks:
 Task 1: Immediately addressing the high and high-medium risks
 Task 2: Identifying what measures will practically control biological exposure
 Task 3: Establishing priorities and a timetable for implementing the actions
 Task 4: Assigning roles and responsibilities
 Task 5: Monitoring and reviewing the Remedial Action Plan and Risk Conclusions
Assessment of risks is presented in Appendix 1
 Elimination & Substitution
 Prevention - Controlling Risk at Source
 Administrative Control
 Personal Protective Equipment

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Section 7.4 in the Standard shall be referred for Control of Risks
ADNOC Classification: Internal

HEALTH SURVEILLANCE

 Employees identified to be at high, or high-medium risk to

health caused by exposure to biological agents must be
included in a programme of health surveillance described
in ADNOC Health Screening & Surveillance Standard
(HSE-OH-ST05)
 The Surveillance shall be carried out to establish whether
exposure had occurred and whether it has potentially
impacted the health and well-being of personnel
 Surveillance protocols must be conducted by qualified and
experienced personnel using approved methodologies
and testing procedures

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Section 7.5 in the Standard shall be referred for Health Surveillance
ADNOC Classification: Internal

KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for this Standard shall include as a minimum the following;

KPI Target

Submission of Health Hazard Risk Register related to Biological hazards

to ADNOC GHSEF and subsequent resubmission on periodic basis, as 100% Completion
per Occupational Health Risk Management Standard HSE-OH-ST03

Performance - Timely action on any identified findings related to Biological

100% Completion
hazards identified.

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ADNOC Classification: Internal

LINKS TO ADNOC STANDARDS

 ADNOC OHRM Standard, HSE-OH-ST03

 ADNOC Indoor Air Quality Standards, HSE-OH-ST12
 ADNOC Personal Protective Equipment Standard, HSE-OS-
ST20
 ADNOC Health Screening & Surveillance, HSE-OH-ST-05
 ADNOC Integrated Operations Management System manual,
HSE-GA-ST02
 ADNOC Contractor Welfare Management, HSE-OH-ST07
 ADNOC Risk Management Standard, HSE-RM-ST01
 ADNOC Group Medical Fitness Guidelines AHQ-HCA-GSA-GID-
003-R00-19 dated 15 Jul 2019

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ADNOC Classification: Internal

APPENDICES

 Checklist for Assessment of Biological Risk

 Management of Legionella
 Legionella Audit Checklist

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Section 10 in the Standard shall be referred for Appendices
ADNOC Classification: Internal

THANK YOU
ANY QUESTIONS?

ABU DHABI NATIONAL OIL COMPANY